Road marker



June 20, 1939.. Q J o so 2,163,346

' ROAD MARKER Fil ed Sept. 7, 1937 w 3mm :z I .nll" I I '0 ey ufjforrz'son 1" I .i v 1 a 44k Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES rarENTOFFlCE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved road marker particularly adaptedfor directing trafllc at the intersections of roads and streets.

It is an object of the invention to provide a marker which when placedin the lanes of traffic at a street intersection will denote to themotorist, in the proper lane, the direction of travel and will serve asa hazard to all motorists who wrongfully enter the traflic lane.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a markerconsisting of a relatively flat elongated block having its forward enddesigned to denote the direction of travel, the forward end beingrelatively thicker than the rear end, so that any motorist entering thelane of traflic from the wrong direction, upon striking the marker willreceive a shock, whereas a motorist traveling in the proper direction onstriking the marker will ride over the marker with little inconvenience.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a marker of theabove-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction,eflicient in use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a street intersection showing themarker disposed in the lanes of traflic,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the marker,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the marker, showing another design.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes an elongatedrelatively fiat block which may be constructed of concrete, wood, metal,or other suitable material. The forward end 6 of the block is relativelythicker than the rear end 1, so that the top plane surface 8 of theblock inclines rearwardly. Extending from one or both sides of theblock, intermediate the length thereof, are diverging wings 9, havingtheir top plane surfaces In inclined downwardly towards their inner endswhich terminate on a plane slightly below the plane of the surface 8 ofthe block. The forward ends of the block and wings are tapered to apoint, as at H, to resemble an (Cl. B l-1.5)

arrowhead, the walls of the tapered ends being perpendicular with theirupper edges slightly rounded, as at I2. The block and wings may beprovided with openings l3 to receive fasteners for securing the markerto the surface of the 5 roadway, or the blocks may be directly cementedto the roadway or secured thereto in any other suitable manner.

In use, the markers are placed in the lanes of traflic at streetintersections, being preferably 10 disposed in the center of the lane,as shown in Figure so as to be clearly visible to the motorist at alltimes. The markers vary in design to denote the direction of travel, inaccordance with traflic rules which have been established 15 at thestreet intersection. A marker having wings extending from both sides ofthe block denotes that the motorist may make either a right-hand orleft-hand turn. If the motorist is limited to a turn in only onedirection, a 20 marker with one wing is placed in the lane. A motoristtraveling in the proper direction may easily straddle the marker, but ifthe wheels of the vehicle should strike the marker, it will ride up theinclined surface of the block or 5 wings and drop off the end, withlittle or no inconvenience to the motorist, If, however, a motoristshould attempt to enter a lane of trafl'lc in the wrong direction, themarker will serve as a hazard and when the wheel of the vehicle strikesthe thickened end of the marker, the motorist will be subjected to asevere shock or jar. Thus, it will be seen the marker serves to determotorists from attempting to enter the wrong lanes of trafiic and at thesame time pro- 35 vides means for directing the traffic moving in theproper direction. Since the markers are placed directly in the lanes oftraflic, they will be illuminated by the headlights of the automobilesin the nighttime and will enable the 40 motorist to keep his eyes on theroadway at all times. If desired, signs may be placed on the surface ofthe marker to indicate other traflic rules, such as Stop-Caution--or thelike.

It is to be understood that the form of my 45 invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatcertain changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of the parts may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention or 50 scope ofthe subjoined claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A trafiic-directing marker for roadways, comprising an elongated, fiatrectangular block adapted to be secured to the surface of a road- 55way, said block having a forward end, a pointed wing being inclineddownwardly from its pointed wing connected to one side of said block andend to its point of connection with the block, diverging forwardlytherefrom whereby to serve said wing being of less thickness than thatof as a direction indicator, the upper face of the the block whereconnected therewith, whereby block being inclined downwardly from itspointed to provide a step.

end to its rear end, and the upper face of the OKEY J. MORRISON.

